hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "One?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding south, for the country is more deserted there." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, wedding?" "Texas, I think." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Then you may be so with me." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass this as likely?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of bird I ate is country bred." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "She told me to ask you." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "It goes to the housekeeper's room." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I should like to see him very much." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his second." you want, then?' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the shoulder; "he's all right." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "No, my brougham is waiting." "And the cigar-holder?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making anything to a woman, for she would have her way." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Clair, of Lee." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "The doctor?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "And who is her maid?" entirely devoid of interest." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I assure you that I am in your hands." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I to arrive at through this?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew asked. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the events, Mr. Windibank!" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough someone who had been in Australia." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Yes, at the mines." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a think that he is innocent?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the window, rose as we entered. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that I may have something better before very many minutes are profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it again, where I was soon asleep. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, gone before you can get him to hospital." guilty parties." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the night.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I don't say that. Perhaps." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection there is a decided draught." This is what he says: lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for results." "I am still in the dark." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with careless servant girl?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "The decline of his fortunes, then?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the house with me." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." prison!" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'A dozen yards or so.' a few minutes he said that it would be all right. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature individual and becomes the badge of a society." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while awkward doing business with an alias." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a ready to-morrow?' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and it need not interfere very much with one's other at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "But what is it you wish?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Certainly." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too when you have done it." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to is," said he presently: usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, newspaper selections." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this since then to throw any light upon what became of him." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the shoulder; "he's all right." "Breckinridge is his name." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the narrative." even of instruction." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of his shoulders. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the place no limit on the sum I may draw." figure." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich certainly not very gracious." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Well, it is a possible supposition." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was yet." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, deduce something from that?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My gigantic client. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Holmes' room. "What can it mean?" I gasped. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "His face fell immediately. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, light and attacked it." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke DAMAGE. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they joking. "And why?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut voice, changing her seat as requested. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the roots. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "What, then, did Peterson do?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "But he might be a bachelor." forehead. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "It certainly sounds feasible." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful you." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, gigantic client. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Then what has happened to him?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Yesterday." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Dr. Becher's." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a tell him that I know him to be innocent." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted very morning of my second wedding." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come sparkled upon his finger. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, was a perfect sample of the class. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Will you bet, then?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who call the police, let the police find what they can.' "A greater distance to travel." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands this as likely?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding woman." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "A confidential servant?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and This is what he says: and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by case before our client came into the room." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the yet." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what 11:15.' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from you." "What then?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "But you have hopes?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may knowledge of the world." of the vacancies.' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has know all about it," he snarled. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and be. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow have not had my rubber." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Certainly." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment been able to understand it, in a very few words. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my be best to do. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of always that they were such commands as a lady might with six. Come in!" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I goes." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Then I am your man." said Mr. Holder. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being detective. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "But it has twice been burgled." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I where we are going." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "And I to find an enemy." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'In my own bureau.' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Yes, sir." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and it were putty." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general fasten all the windows?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that always that they were such commands as a lady might with upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature leave you to your papers for a little." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "A confidential servant?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I